How to Comp the "Perfect Take" In Cubase -Full Guide

[@eyeball2eyeball]

Comping in cubase is so intuitive.

[@pumpichank]

I've been using Cubase for many many years and absolutely swear by the comp tool. I recently found your channel after upgrading to Cubase 12 and wanting to see what's new. Subscribed and Liked of course! I love that you did the tutorial with bass, since I'm a bass player too! Comp tool makes my bass parts sound brilliant. 😂. I use comp tool for rhythm guitar, solos, vocals, etc. I combine a technique I learned doing bass session work with an amazing producer, which means I almost *never* punch. Here are some more tips I've learned: * Just play through the entire part several times and never stop even if a mistake is made. For a guitar solo, I'll have the guitarist just run through the solo section 4 or 5 times. Once I have a "safe" take or a take with good energy, everything else is bonus. I can use the good take for most of the part and then comp in the tasty licks. Same with vocals and the comp tool is amazing at being able to just drop in an amazing vocal run to spice the track up. For bass, I get a little more obsessive of course - I might record 8 to 10 full takes of the song and then comp together the track. * The only time I'll punch is if one of the lanes just doesn't have what I need. It happens occasionally. It's super rare though, and sometimes depending on the part, I can just lift a bit from some other section, or use VariAudio or Free Warp to fix a little thing here and there. Between all these tools, I'm very efficient at getting really good parts, both from myself and my session players, with very little angst! * I generally always keep the grid on, snapping either to bar or beat. Then I use comp tool to get the coarse grained part I like. After that I go in and tweak things here and there with the grid off, or with a 1/16 quantize, dragging the comp separator bar - another magical thing I love about Cubase. So when you're doing your first pass of comping, just keep the snap on to quickly make your editorial choices. I didn't know about Cmd temporarily disabling the snap. TIL - thanks for that! * Always set up your markers first - it helps you keep track of where in the song you are. Also, I generally build a comp linearly like 4 bars or a section at a time. * I always colorize my editorial choices. I start with the default track background, then as I pick the parts I like, I color them yellow. I might have a couple of comp choices I like at any place in the track and I just color all the good ones yellow. Once I've made my first pass of choices, I listen to the track again from the top and I might choose a different lane here or there, or move a comp point etc. Iterate until you have what you like but don't obsess over it too much. Go with your gut when you have more than one comp choice you love - it'll all work out once you listen to the track in context. After I like my choices, I color them all light green. The reason I do all this is because if I accidentally click on a comp point to change the choice, I'll know which ones to go back to. What I didn't know until today was about the track versions - TIL! Thank you for that, I think it will transform the way I build songs. * Once I've made all my choices, I solo the track and listen to where the comp chooses a different lane. The comp tool is amazing but occasionally you'll end up with a pop of you're crossing lanes. I've been able to comp in between notes or riffs and it's almost always clean out of the box. If you get a pop or other artifact, then you drop in a crossover to get it nice and clean. I also sometimes go through and cut out the parts where the instrument isn't playing, and then fade in and out to get a nice clean noiseless part. I generally don't delete overlaps, but now that I know about track versions I might give that a try. Start with the take that has the best energy and groove, and use the comp tool for "flavor".

[@danserogermusic104]

Those are amazing tips! I'm just about to start comping in a more serious & structured way, and your tips and Dom's tips will be of great use! Thanks and happy comping!

[@mcmercer01]

You're very amazing. Thank you. I learn to much with your class.

[@palebluedotstudios]

Thanks for this, Dom! Cubase's comping is second to none, I can't imagine living without it.

[@AlexanderOrion]

I agree, but as an Ableton user, I'm excited Ableton is finally catching up with v11

[@HoaPierre]

I would have taken 9:02 and then spicing up the drums rythm, but super cool didn't know that comp thing on cubase

[@whatlooksrightisright]

Dom, you forgot to mention/show that the Comping tool behaves very smartly when it comes to getting back to the previously selected bit: you hit the last chosen bit AGAIN, and the previous bit is activated. Very handy indeed.

[@dane4890]

I love it Dom, you rule as always... Very helpful! :)

[@andrejjurgelevic6638]

Thanks Dom!!!! 🎹🎹🎤🎤🎵🎵🎶🎶

[@trixdropd]

great video.. That pencil feature. WOW! That was the best part of the video for me.

[@Notmehimorthem]

Great skillful knowledge here

[@Snuff1989]

i love this channel, been using cubase for years, and never knew all these awesome tips and tricks

[@sergerymar636]

omg... I was dragging and cutting all this versions, this was always for me a headache, not any more ))) thank youi so much for making my life easier !

[@billymack4258]

Great info! Sometimes when I'm tracking the tracks don't go in the correct lanes. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[@KairoosProducties]

Thank you Dom, this is exactly what I need at this moment ;)

[@ИванГорбик-л8ч]

Dom, you are my teacher number one. Thank you a lot!!!

[@room1271]

Dude….you’re my Yoda. 👍🏻🤟🏻🍻

[@charliekey2979]

Great video like always!

[@djjuno106]

Great vid your the cubase Jedi

[@enriquematiasreimermillan5120]

Pure wisdom from Dom!

[@DonF49]

Thank you, Mr Sigalas. Your work put to all Cubase videos is very useful and appreciated.

[@AcousticBruce]

Dude... your are tremendously helpful! Thank you!

[@RenanBEreanSound]

This will change my workflow forever Dom, thank you so much

[@GazziAmplification]

Great video, super helpful!

[@ChrrZ]

great tutorial, the comping feature in cubase is really ace, i love it!

[@piccasotarek]

Thank you with all my heart I have a question please? Can you teach us how to make a special music library on Halion? for example: I play the oriental oud as well as the oriental tabla and I want to make a music library for the instruments I use

[@manuelmartinezrivas5804]

Great !

[@kevinsturges6957]

Thank you! These lessons are a huge help.

[@Frankaupolis]

Oh yeah!!! So FUNKY!!!! 8~D

[@QWLMusic]

Thanks for another super useful video, Dom!

[@antoinemontmory]

Perfect video, thanks Dom. When you know everything about your DAW, it feels like you are playing a game.

[@Tiger1016.]

Love this video. I had started to use a looper (Loopy Pro) to try out different song ideas, but going down a route with this kind of work flow will probably save me time and distractions and allow me to focus more on the creative flow rather than a lot of trial and error on the looping takes then having to spend the time to try to get the perfect take recorded before I can move on to the next part.

[@joosakurvinen4381]

Could you show how to do this if you got multiple tracks (e.g. drum set or guitar with amp + DI)?

[@mozizo11]

Great tips Dom, i use it all the time and use versions also to keep the comped lanes. on the negative side, i Hate comping when singers take advantage of this and do 30 takes and pick every word from other lane, what a nightmare LOL..

[@ralfkohler831]

so cool. Always the stuff I need right now in my production.

[@Abeldidit]

What video recording gear do you use? Awesome content man! Loving Cubase!

[@truthseeker630]

Great Vid as usual; 1 Question; Will this comping and bouncing to 1 track take care of the pops and clicks we normally would fix with cross-fading parts together?

[@vkm.official]

Another great video, as usual. Stop being so awesome! 😂

[@mattprez]

Dom, damn your videos are awesome, dude!! Q: What software and hardware setup do you use to record your Cubase screen AND your Cubase audio (music AND microphone)? As I want to create videos like yours. :) Any info or videos you can give on this would be super appreciated. :) Thanks in advance mate - appreciated.

[@trioguitar]

I just would have kept the first take! great stuff Never tried this before, but the benefits are pretty obvious. One thing that occurs to me is that so often you are at risk of introducing pops when you have layers on the same track, but this comping tool appears to get around this, that you can seamlessly jump from one take to another with zero risk of introducing pops.

[@matthewoneill2285]

Thanks

[@MoshikAntebii]

Thanks for the detailed video. One thing that remains a limitation is that after bouncing the parts into one track, I cannot do an Audio process (like Gain or normalized). It seems that the bouncing "Locked" the track from performing audio processing. Is there a way to "unlock" it? Thanks

[@Byron101_]

Cubase? best DAW. No doubt.

[@joederbyshire_]

Cant wait to watch this even tho i dont do too much recording lol 🔥

[@charliekey2979]

Hey Don you are the best! Thank you, this works fantastic every @##$%^& time!

[@beat2009]

Greate music. Could we have the chord progression please?

[@alexandrosbagkas]

Ωραίος!! Με έσωσες!

[@NONFamers]

Hint: If you record in Loop Mode, Cubase automatically assigns Track Versios to Lanes. However, if you record different takes manually (like I do) You need to use the feature'Create Lanes from Track versions': Project Menu > Track Versions > Create Lanes from Versions. It took me a while to figure out why I had no Lanes to Comp even though I had recorded seven different takes...

[@johnnydswing]

Thanks for the information, every video I’ve seen is always the same they make you record fast like a maniac nonstop, I want to record at my own speed, thanks

[@BhashanaLiyanage]

Thanks a lot ❤

[@nantschev]

Great

[@darrenwatsonmusic]

Does it auto crossfade?

[@nathanbryers]

Does cubasis 3 have this function?

[@SnowAngelfish]

Crazy how so many people dont read. All this stuff is in the cubase manual. Virtually everything this channel teaches is literally just going from the manual but in a visual demonstration,, which is nice,, but certainly nothing new if you simply take time to read the manual. I always keep a copy of the manual on my desktop at all times to reference.

[@kevinsturges6957]

I don’t understand: how did you get the recording track in Cubase, to add ANOTHER track every time it looped around, instead of just replacing what you played before on the original track?

[@danserogermusic104]

I don't have Cubase open right now, but I would suggest these: make sure the Show Lanes button is activated for the track; and absolutely explore the different recording modes available in the Transport menu (Keep History, Cycle History, Replace, etc). See in the manual "Audio Record Modes". Good luck!

[@kevinsturges6957]

@@danserogermusic104 : thank you. Those are options I’ve been putting off exploring.

[@danserogermusic104]

@@kevinsturges6957 Hehe I know what you mean...! But just start playing with the different options and you'll soon start to learn by yourself what they do exactly, it's worth it!

[@falconshield]

Just hold Ctrl do disable snap temporarily ;) Loved the video btw, this is going to make sifting through takes soooo much easier!

[@andesneko]

Was gonna ask this! Ha. Thanks.

[@RivasMusic7]

This is crazy, I have been learning lots with you man, can’t believe all the time I spent doing the wrong way of editing. This guy is legit!

[@dane4890]

100%

[@JMCV2]

reading manuals helps a lot

[@Jerry_TheFitnessMessiah]

Asf 🎉

[@murtza.rehman]

1. Select hand tool 2. Drag your selection 3. Hand pick vocal takes. 4. Comp ( Duplicate version, Delete Overlaps: Alt+D / Audio > Bounce Selection). Bonus: The Pencil Tool Thanks Dom

[@jackiedragonfly2461]

I am definitely getting Cubase as my DAW, since I have found such a brilliant teacher of it in you! (I also like the way they use colours 😅). I am sure other DAWs are good too, but half the problem is learning all the features! When I get it, I will probably end up watching the totality of all your Cubase videos! 😂 I hope KZbin is generous with you and add revenues, as you have a really brilliant channel! I have learnt video editing and carpentry (!!) from KZbin, and digital music production is next. Now I have to search your channel for tips on computers that can handle the DAW, VSTs etc, which keyboard to choose and which microphone for singing! I don't know if you cover those topics, but hopefully I can find something in there!

[@dannyb6618]

Awesome Video Dom. Does this also work with high gain guitar tracks? Since there is more noise and stuff I think it would be more difficult to blend the tracks and make it sound like 1 take?

[@gregoryreddin1222]

Wow, I don't know what I like the most. The fact that Cubase makes comping this easy or Dom's excellent guide for getting the perfect take. Great job man!

[@mozizo11]

very nice "round" Bass sound, what preamp you used on it ? (yeah i know its more on the Bass and player !! )))

[@oriomenoni7651]

How can you make so that the first take doesn't play while you record the second take in loop mode?

[@BrownKnowsVideos]

Thanks so much! Great Video!

[@IanMSpencer]

Thought I had it sorted (when you play as badly as me, you learn comping fast!), but any watcher of Dom's videos knows that the chances are that Dom knows better. I've been alt-clicking the cuts, and didn't know about the "super easy" dragging. What I really like is that there are always 23 different ways of doing things in Cubase, but Dom's got the experience to know the besT. Those little bonus tips too, knew about versions, forgot about duplicating, never really bothered with delete overlaps, went straight to bouncing. Thanks!

[@MrArchie800]

Same -I tended to cut the version up which is messy. This will save lots of time with a cleaner result.

[@ledooni]

Great overview, but I would've liked to see more in-depth editing of the comped takes. Let's say the section at 9:20 could not be comped cleanly by just selecting different takes. How would you then maybe cut that unwanted part from the comped track and how do fades work while comping? Did you cover that in a different video or could you maybe answer that briefly? Thanks! :)

[@danserogermusic104]

Same interrogations here! Started comping yesterday and there's a bar or two for which none of my 3 lanes have good enough material... so I wanted to copy and paste the material from another similar section of the song, plus I needed to do some free-warping on it... but didn't want to mess up the comping made until then... The good news is that I can use the "duplicate version", like Dom showed us, before attempting that surgical operation, in the hopes that free-warping some sections wont disrupt the comping harmony...!

[@AcousticBruce]

The Versions! I had no idea! That is slick! And the duplicate is the cherry on top!

[@federicoverdicchio]

Can't believe how much I learnt in 15 mins, thanks Dom!

[@jasonanthonywebster8859]

I know this is a silly question, but do you sometimes forget things you have learned and come back to train yourself from yourself?😆😊

[@danserogermusic104]

Haha clever question!

[@MojoEdwin]

Hi Dom, This is so helpful, awsome! Do you also use crossfades after comping?

[@danserogermusic104]

Same question here!

[@frieder.schmidt]

There are days when I feel like I should come back to Cubase... Anybody knows if "delete overlaps" also works in Studio One (and how)? Switching takes in S1 removes melodyne-edits, it's driving me nuts.

[@muzzap21]

Dom! Great video! 👌❤ Just curious what inserts you have on the bass? I'm looking for a good bass sound could do with a plugin that gives me a similar sound. Cheers! ❤

[@iam-music]

So funny 40 years of doing music to the epiphany that destroys AI "Make it real; not perfect" Thanks for the vid, great as always Dom!

[@MrArchie800]

Excellent! I do use comping but I wasn't using it correctly and this will give me better results and take less time. Thank you again!

[@IvanSobolevComposer]

wow thanks i didn't know about this method, amazingly great. SEN SAY can you show how you record guitars, i mean do you use an effects processor or a preamp or maybe you record a cabinet through a microphone, or directly into the line of an audio card

[@xraydog2011]

I was stuck to logic pro x only for this feature,but since i am shifting back to windows i am looking for alternative DAWs, used cubase long time back but not aware of this feature,bro u r life saver

[@Nomasiac]

I've been using Cubase since it's earliest PC reiteration (God knows what version that was but circa 98/99) and can't remember if it had comping. Even if it did, I didn't know about it. At least I know now 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️👍🏼👍🏼

[@vadrians]

Dom, I recently watched a video where they reviewd a project in FL Studio from Billie Eilish called "Ocean Blue". The showed a nice background beat made with some filters and effects to change the sound of a hit hat. I am sure Cubase should have very similar thing. And I feel positive that Artists such as Daft Punk or Rammstein in "Seemann" and being used in many genres. Could you please explain how to do something similar? :D Please!

[@cfpradiocreationsfredetpie8120]

So interesting. And by the way thanks for all your videos about cubase, because you don't know that but because of you I change my config for Christmas. As you said : how cool is that 😂 New laptop, new soundcard and new Cubase I will move from cubase 5 to 11 pro it will be a big gap and since 1 month, sorry, I can't resist I've watched your vids related to cubase and I learn a lot about new features in cubase pro 11. Ok. I stop here. I talk to much and my English is so terrible. Have a nice Christmas and end of year...

[@marcusstrymon693]

Wow dom, so how did you get the fat bass tone at the statt of the video? And is this possible with cubase bass amp vst plugin? So i am analog with a strymon iridium with a high quality but passive p bass and a jazz bass. So the direct in signal was never good with or without iridium compared to the band room mark bass amp with fender cab.

[@ScoringStageEu]

on loop recording I whish there would be a feature to record voicings in a loop. So each loop recording should stay in it's own lane but enabled and plays. This yould help to create own voice choirs

[@njm20music]

Hi Dom, have you done a tut with midi comping? more relevant for non keyboard players to get a great take

[@GaryR55]

And, of course, all this applies to Cubasis, as well. Er, well, almost. The particular features used to achieve it may vary with whichever version we're using, right? 😊

[@michaellazaridis942]

Kalimera Dom.Thanks for the nice video , once again. I've got one question , though.Can I plug in the bass in the UR22 c where it is for the guitar and record?

[@fr.naveennirmalmsfs1408]

Hi Bro, multiple recording happens in the same track. How to solve the problem?

[@marcusstrymon693]

This video just was pure insanity. I am sperchless. Thank you dom.

[@yasarkurtoglu433]

Well, if you tell at start that you have to set tha Audio Record Mode to Keep History and not to Replace that would be much better and not half a Video for those who wanna know why its not recording takes 😉

[@hilbertshotel]

The more I learn about Cubase, the less I understand how people can use other DAWs.

[@ctrprog]

If a Grammy existed for DAW Education Mastery, you would win. Today.

[@navicstein]

Hi Dom🖐️, am blacksoft music from Nigeria.. please can you make a video on the midi out feature found on waves ovox vocal resynthesis plugin and how it can be used in cubase, thanks .

[@HowlingUlf]

The comp tool is the deadline slayer !!! :D versions ... haven't hardly looked at them. BOOOH! :P I need to check them out in order to do better than that! Great video ... again!

[@dvesotki]

Hello, thanks for this video. Am i wrong or these functions (comp and “show lanes” button) are not in every cubase version ? I mean i have elements 11 and i’ve been looking how i can show take 2..+ lines and i haven’t found it.

[@mattynes]

This was incredibly helpful. You’re the man!

[@Frankaupolis]

..love your spirits buddy!! You bring a smile to my face! Cheers from MTL! 8~D

[@buddy_love]

never even heard of "comping" before a couple days ago. always edited things together manually and by ear. this should be an interesting technique to find out about.

[@rocnred]

I love how you teach real-world application over technical knowlege. Geez. Is there anything you can't do? Have you ever tried to leap tall buildings in a single bound?

[@domeniconitti529]

How is it possible to comp a guitar track recorded with two different mics put in front of the amp just to be equal?

[@vomito72]

I know this is an old video but I want to say , first you are an amazing bass player Dom , second thank you because I never realized about this tool in cubase , I always got my last take as the best one..but it's never like that...something might be better and something not and it's never the same

[@MakodMediaKaraoke]

Cool Tips, I have never used this function before. Thanks, DOM.

[@eljodioerrante]

Perfect job. Really interesting. Thank you very much

[@keshavsingh1672]

Thanks for sharing this great feature of Cubase, I didn't know about but was looking for ways to do the same somehow.... 👍

[@coloredCYANIDE]

Immediate subscribe. I like for my final take of a song on any instrument to be a single segment if possible esp drums but this is a great set of techniques for arrangement of ideas for any instrument for me. Very well explained, thank you.

[@davebassP5]

Brilliant video and great explanation on the way the Comp tool works in conjunction with ‘bass face’ 😂

[@kMaxRx]

Holy god does this make sorting out a million vocals faster and better (not that someone should have so many).